Rumble deck and cover construction



w. H. STRYIKE' RUMBLE DECK AND COVER CONSTRUCTION Filed neo. 4, 195s s sheets-sheet 1 W. M. TRYKE RUMBLE DECK AND COVER CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 4:, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 pl 23 H936 W H STRYMER 2,039,124

RUNBLE DECK AND COVER CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 4, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 C e@ """W NUM MNH "NHT 2E Mening( proper adjustment for pivotal movement.

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This invention relates to improvements in rumble decir and cover constructions, and more particularly to a decir and cover construction for the rumble compartment of a vehicle wherein the rumble compartment cover may be opened by raising either end thereof, although the invention may be used for various types of closures for many and various purposes as will be apparent to one slrilled in the art.

l am aware that, in the past, covers for the rumble compartments of vehicles, and covers for other compartments not associated with ve hicles have been made so that the cover might be opened by raising either end thereof, the cover pivoting upon some mechanism adiacent the end not raised. However, these formerly known devices have proven objectionable in many ways, especially when utilized with a rumble seat cover on an automotive vehicle. For example, brace means are highly desirable when a rumble compartment cover is opened baclr to front in the type of the well-known roadster, while such brace means are not desirable when the cover opens front to baclr to function as a back rest for the occupant of the rumble seat. In these previous developed devices, where brace means were employed, they were employed for the cover in both positions and were extremely difcult to build in the tonneau adjacent the rumble deck of a vehicle. In other instances, no brace means were used. lin further instances, while the rumble cover might be opened from either end, there was nothing to insure that the opposite or closed end of the cover would be in in other words, both handles of the door would have to be tested prior to opening the door, or it would, in many cases, be loose at both ends. Difficulty has also been experienced time and again in obtaining a hinge construction that could readily be installed in connection with a rumble cover so as not to become unsightly or not to interfere with the occupant or baggage placed in the rumble compartment.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cover for a compartment which may be opened from either end, and which embodies mechanism permitting opening of the cover by actuating the mechanism at either end of the cover without any adjustment at the other end of the cover, the mecha nism being such as to insure that the end not opened is ready for pivotal movement oi the cover.

lt is also an object of this invention to provide a cover for the rumble compartment of a. vehicle embodying mechanism permitting the opening of the cover from either end thereof, with all of the mechanism disposed in the cover between the exterior covering and the upholstered seat bach, commonly provided on such cover.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a pivotal compartment cover which may be opened from either end, embodying mechanism for both ends of the cover operable from either end of the cover.

-Another object of this invention is the provision of a rumble compartment cover openable from either end thereof, including brace means which are unresponsive to movement of the ycover in one direction and fail to move to operative position, but which are responsive to movement of the cover in the opposite direction and automatically assume operative position.

it is a further object of this invention to provide a pivotal compartment cover openable from either end thereof, embodying only a single operating handle, the one handle governing the opening of the cover' at either end.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of rumble seat cover mechanism which is durable, easily operable, and may be very emciently installed in connection with the cover for the rumble compartment of a vehicle, the mechanism when installed, being substantially invisible and interfering in no manner with occupancy of the rumble compartment.

'llihile some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosure.

The invention includes these and other features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and shown in a preferred form on the drawings, as more particularly indicated by the claims.

@n the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, with certain parts'in elevation, illustrating a rumble seat compartment of a vehicle provided with a cover and means embodying principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view, loolring from bach to front of the vehicle, of the mechanism embodied in the rumble compartment cover and adjacent decir. area, the inner skeleton of the cover only being shown with the outer covering and the inner upholstery having been removed for the purposes of clarity. rlhis view, chosen for the purpose of clarity, is that which would appear to an observer having his head lying on the rumble seat with the cover closed, and the top of the head pointing toward the rear of the vehicle.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the mechanism in a different state of adjustment.

Figure l is a View similar to Figures 2 and 3, showing the mechanism in a still different state of adjustment. I

Figure 5 is a fragmentary part-sectional, partelevational view, similar to Figure l, showing the cover opened back to front.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the brace mechanism as the same is disclosed in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 2, 3, and l, but showing a slightly modied form of mechanism, wherein only one handle is used to actuate the mechanism for opening the door in either direction.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of the mechanism of Figure '7, showing the same in adierent position of adjustment.

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention, there is shown the rear portion of the tonneau of an automobile comprising the flooring I0, and the usual sheet metal deck ll enclosing the rumble compartment l2. The rumble compartment is provided with the customary rumble seat i3 which, in this instance, may be made removable or adjustable into the forward portion of the compartment in any well known manner so that baggage or other articles may be conveniently stored in the rumble compartment when it is not desired to use the same for passengers.

Of course, an opening is provided in the rumble compartment and in this instance, the opening is defined by an inwardly turned margin M of the deck il, this margin being bent around an angle iron l5 mounted in any Well known manner so as to provide sufficient strength for the deck. A cover i6 is provided for the opening in the rumble compartment, and this cover has the usual sheet steel exterior covering, and the interior upholstered surface to function as a back for an occupant of the rumble seat.

The major portion of the mechanism embodied in this invention is preferably, though not necessarily, installed within the cover lB between the exterior metal coating and the interior upholstered surface upon a suitable cover frame comprising an outer rectangle il with an interior cross member i8. The mechanism is substantially at and may be installed so as to be readily operable in a very small space so that the mechanism need not add to the thickness of the cover iii in any degree if installed therein.

As seen more clearly in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the mechanism adjacent one end of the cover includes an operating handle i9 disposed externally of the cover and projecting through the outer portion thereof and also through the cross member i8. The shaft of the handle i9 is journalled as at 2|] in any suitable manner through the cross member I8 and on the underside of this member is xed to an actuating plate 2l rotatable with the handle. The actuating plate 2| is preferably triangular in general shape for economy in material and space. Extending in opposite directions, one on each side of the actuating plate 2|, is a pair of levers 22 each of which is pivoted to the actuating plate adjacent an apex thereof cheater.

as at A laterally disposed hinge pin 2li is pivotally connected as at 25 to the outer end of each of the levers 22. These hinge pins are slidable upon movements of the levers in suitable journals 26 mounted on the underside of the frame members lll. When in their extended position, the hinge pins 2d project beyond the covers l G through suitable apertures 2l (Figure l) in the margins ifs of the deck l l into opposed sockets 28 mounted in any suitable manner upon the underside of the deck li. Obviously, when the hinge pins are in extended position, as seen in Figure 2, they will function as hinges for the raising of the opposite end of the cover i6, and conversely, when the hinge pins are in retracted position, as seen in the upper portion of Figure 3, they permit the respective end of the cover i6 to be raised. To limit the motion of the handle i9 and actuating plate 2l, a xed stud 29 is provided in the cross member Ill and engages with the actuating plate at opposite ends of a recess 3E) in the plate.

Adjacent the other end of the cover I6 a second handle 3l is mounted in similar manner to the handle i9 and is connected to a similar but oppositely disposed actuating plate 32 rotatable directly with the handle 3|. Pivoted to the plate 32, one on each side of the handle shaft, is a pair of oppositely extending levers 33 similar to the levers 22, and each of these levers 33 has pivotally connected at the outer end thereof, a hinge pin 34 adapted when extended, to engage in a socket 35 mounted on the outer side of the deck ll, all in the manner above described. The rotation of the handle 3| and the plate 32 is also limited in the manner above described in connection with the plate 2|.

When the cover I6 is elevated from front to rear into a position to function as a back for an occupant of the rumble seat, no brace means are essential to hold the cover in position, and such brace means would be more or less a nuisance to the rumble compartment passenger. On the other hand, when the cover I6 is opened back to front to permit the ready placing of baggage or other matter in the rumble compartment, bracing means are found desirable to hold the cover in open position. Of course, automatically operable bracing means are preferable, and for the utmost convenience, these bracing means should automatically move into bracing position with the opening of the cover from back to front, and should remain in their original or inoperative position upon the opening of the cover from front to back, without any extra adjustment on the part of the operator.

To this end, a U-shaped channel 36 with closed ends is provided adjacent opposite sides of the cover i6. These channels 36 may, as shown, extend inwardly into the opening to the rumble compartment, and the cover may, as seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, be cut away to a slight extent, to pass by the channels 36. However, if so desired, these channels may be disposed upon the opposite side of the inwardly turned margin I4 of the deck l I, the margin It suitably apertured, and the de'ck slit in the top thereof to permit movement off' the bracing arm to be later described, this being merely a matter of convenience in assembly. As seen more clearly in Figure 5, a bracing arm 3l has a resting place within the pocket of the channel 36. At the rear end thereof, the bracing arm is provided with a cross stud 38 slidable in a slot 3G in the channel 36 when the opposite end of the brace arm is raised. The slot 39 exlill lid

aosaim tends forwardly a distance sumcient to permit of the proper elevation of the brace arm and is provided at the forward end thereof with a cam-like recess du to receive the cross stud and to hold the braced arm in elevated position, (Figure l).

'There may be only one slot d@ on the inner side of the channel it or there may be a similar slot in. both sides of the channel it depending upon which is found most expedient with the desirable rigidity. ilsseen better in Figure 6, the forward end of the brace arm dl is provided with a rectangular slot di having the same longitudinal axis as the arm. `With reference to Figures l and 5, it will be seen that the channel dt is provided with a recess di of substantially the same length as the slot di and immediately there adjacent.

The aforesaid recess ,df and slot di are of a sine to receive therein a rectangular head it on the outer extremity of the pin td pivoted at the other end thereof as at db to an angular lever dt fixed as at dl to the lever dd. A suitable journal ld is provided on the frame ll for slidable movement of the pin dit.

0f course, the brace means structure, together with the lever and pin structure, just above described, is the same for each side of the door, and each lever it has fixedly attached thereto an angular lever db. it is obvious, if so desired, that brace means may be supplied for only one side of the door.

lt will be obvious, due to the fixed connection ill between the angular levers db and the levers dd, that upon movement of the handle di, in a direction to withdraw the hinge pins iid, the pins lil together with the rectangular head ld will be withdrawn from engagementwith the brace arm so that, when the door is elevated from front to baclr, the brace arms will lie dormant in the soclfets of the channels db. However, when the hinge pins dit' and the pins dit are in their advanced positions, and the hinge pins fil are retracted by movement of the handle Il@ and the cover lb raised from back to front, the pins dit, by their engagement through the slot ill 1n the brace arms will elevate the brace arms at one end thereof, causing the cross studs dd to slide along the respective grooves it and engage in the cam recesses dll at the ends of the grooves to hold the cover in elevated position. As the cover rises, the rectangular heads dd on the pins dit will be turned relatively to the slots di in the brace arms whereby these parts will not unintentionally disengage. When it is desired to lower the cover, it is simply necessary to elevate the brace arms until the cross studs it are removed from the recesses du, and when the cover is closed; the brace means are automatically restored to their former positions and the pins lll may be retracted at any time desired.

Means are also provided in the present instance to insure that, when the hinge means adjacent one end of the door are moved into retracted or open position, the hinge means adjacent the opposite ends of the cover, if in closed position, will remain so, and if not in closed or hinging position, will be automatically moved into such posi- .tion by the movement of the first said hinge means. To this end, a lever du is pivoted as at lid to the actuating plate 2l and as at 5l to the actuating plate d2, it being noted that the lever dd is engaged with these plates on opposite sides of the pivot points of the plates. It is also to be noted that the lever d@ around the pivot 5l is provided with'a lost-motion slot 5l of substantially the same length as the cam recess 3l) on the plate l l, or a length equivalent to the maximum movement of the plate fi and handle it.

In operation, the present invention is extremely simple, but non the less positive and effective. As seen in Figure l, the cover it is closed, all of the hinge pins fil and dit being in hinging position or extended so that they engage in the sockets 2d and it, respectively. Assuming now that it is desired to open the cover from back to front so that the cover will be in position for ready placing of luggage in the rumble compartment, it is simply necessary to move the handle Il@ from the oblique position seen in Fig. 2 to the horizontal position seen in Fig. 3. This movement of the handle rotates the actuating plate fl until the limit stud fd abuts the opposite end of the recess tu in the plate, causing the levers ll and the hinge pins fnl pivoted thereto to be drawn inwardly or retracted so that the hinge pins are pulled out of engagement with the sockets it. It will be noted that, during this movement, the lever t9 pivoted to the plate fl has been raised, but due to the lost motion slot bl slidable over the pivot pin fl none of the mechanism adjacent the opposite end of the door has been disturbed but remains in closed position. The cover lli may then be raised by the handle l@ at the rear end thereof, the cover pivoting upon hinge pins dit engaged in sockets 3b adjacent the opposite ends of the cover. Of course, the brace actuating pins ltd on the angular levers dit are disposed a distance away from the pins Sill, so that when the cover is raised the pins dd automatically raise the brace arms il in position to support the cover in open position, as previously described herein.

'lio reclose the cover, it is simply necessary to manually elevate the lower ends of the brace means and drop the cover into closed position. The handle lll may be moved into oblique position again to restore the pins fd to hinging position, if so desired. Assuming, however, that the handle it has been left in open position after the cover has been closed, and that it is now desired to open the cover from the opposite end thereof, front to back, to function as a back for the occupant of the rumble seat, it is simply necessary to move the handle 3l from the oblique position seen in Figure 2 to the horizontal position seen in Figure 4. This movement of the handle di retracts the hinge pins dd from engagement in sockets it, and also retracts the pins lil from engagement with the brace arms dl. Allt is not necessary to touch the handle la, which was left in open position. The lever du has been drawn downwardly by the movement of the handle di and plate if causing the plate ll to rotate to its original closed position, actuating the lever arms ll outm wardly, and advancing the hinge pins 2t into engagement with sockets 2b. It is at once apparent dit that when the handle di was moved into open 'i position, the mechanism at the opposite end of the door was automatically placed in hinging position, and the door may be swung open front to baclzrmhinging upon the' pins lllengaged in soclee s llf thev door is now closed, the handle di may be moved into closed position without disturbing the mechanism at the opposite end of the cover, since the pivot pin 5l will merely ride up the lost-motion slot 5f in the lever du, and the mechanism controlled by handle l@ remains in closed position.

However, if the cover is closed and the handle il left in open position, a movement of the handle it into open position, or to the position seen in Figure 3, automatically moves the mechanism controlled by handle 3l into closed position through the lever dil. Consequently, regardless of whether or not one of the hinge mechanisms has been left in open position, it is impossible to move the opposite hinge mechanism into open position without automatically moving the first hinge mechanism into closed position.

In the event, for any reason, it is desired to remove the cover iii entirely, it is a simple expedient to open the cover at either end, hold the cover in slightly open position at this end and move the opposite hinge mechanism into open position. Of course, the movement of the opposite hinge mechanism into open position will cause the adjacent hinge mechanism to be moved into closed position, but since the cover is held slightly open, the closing of the adjacent hinge mechanism will occur in open air and the cover may be easily lifted from the decir.

The handles i@ and 3l have been `shown in oblique position designating closed position of the hinging mechanisms for the purpose of clarity, it being understood that the handles may be mounted so as to be horizontal or in any other desired position to designate closed positions of the respective mechanisms.

In Figures 7 and 8, I have shown a slightly modied form of the present invention, wherein only one handle is used to actuate the mechanism adjacent either end of the cover l5. This handle is preferably substantially centrally located with respect to the cover.

In the construction shown in Figures '7 and 8, the frame lll with its cross member iti, the levers 22 with their hinge pins 24, the levers .i3 and their hinge pins 341, and the levers d5 together with pins 44, and the bracing arms fill are all identical with the construction yshown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive. The same principle of actuation of the hinge mechanisms is embodied, and the difference in construction resides mainly in the hinge actuating mechanism.

In this instance, a single handle 53 is employed, and this handle is journalled through the central region of the cross member I8 and xedly connected to a plate 54 rotatable with the handle. This plate 54 is provided with two oppositely disposed lost-motion slots 55 and 56. A link 51 is operatively connected at one end thereof to the plate 54 by means of a pivot pin 58 freely slidable in the lost-motion slot 55. The other end of this link is pivotally connected to an actuating plate 2la, similar to the previously discussed plate 2l, and to which plate the inner ends of the levers 22 are pivotally connected one on each side of the pivot point of the plate. This plate 2la, in this instance, is not connected to a handle, but is merely mounted to rotate around a bearing stud 59 mounted on the cross member iii. In similar manner, another lever or link 6U is pivotally associated at one end thereof with the plate 5d by means oi' the pivot pin El freely slidable in the lost-motion slot 55. The other end of this link 60 is pivotally connected to a plate 52 rotatable upon a stud 63 mounted on a portion of the frame On opposite sides of the pivot point 63 of the plate 62, the inner ends of the levers are pivotally connected to the plate.

The operation of the construction shown in Figures and 8 is extremely simple. To indicate the position of the handle 53 and to maintain the handle in the desired position, spaced notches 6d, 65 and 66 are provided in the plate 54, and these notches are engageable by the end of a spring element (ill mounted upon the cross member it. The middle notch 55 designates the neutral position of the handle, as the same is seen in full lines in Figure 7, wherein all of the hinge pins 213 and lll are in hinging position.

Assuming that it is desired to open the cover from baci; to front for the purpose of readily placing luggage in the rumble compartment, it is simply necessary to move the handle to one side of the neutral position as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 7. Noting the pivot pins 55 and GE associated with the levers Fill and Bil, respectively, are normally in engagement with the inner ends of the slots 55 and 5G, respectively, it will be seen that the plate 54, in its rotative movement, will press against the pivot pin 5d and force the lever 5l? to rotate the plate Zia in a manner to retract the hinge pins 24 through the levers 22. This movement is accomplished against the pull of a spring @il mounted between one of the levers 22 and a portion of the frame il?. The hinge mechanism adjacent the opposite end of the cover will not be disturbed since the lost motion slot 56 will travel freely over the pivot pin 6i, and the cover may be swung open hinging on pins the brace arms being elevated into proper position for holding the cover open as hereinabove explained. The handle 53 is maintained in open position by means of the engagement of the detent 5T! in the notch Eid of the plate 54.

When it is desired to open the cover from the opposite end thereof, the handle 53 is moved in the opposite direction from neutral position, to that position seen in Figure 8, whereby the lever Gil is forced to rotate the plate 62 and withdraw or retract the hinge pins 34 together with the pins M on the levers 46. The hinge pins 24 adjacent the opposite end of the door are not disturbed since the lost-motion slot 55 slides freely over the pivot pin 58. Accordingly, the cover may be raised from back to front pivoting upon the pins 24, and in view of the retraction of the pins 44, the brace arms are not disturbed but lie dormant in their channels 36. The handle is maintained in this open position by engagement of the detent 57 wlth the notch 66 in the plate 64. Of course, in moving the handle 53 to withdraw the hinge pins 34, the motion is accomplished against the action of the spring 69 mounted between the lever 33 and a portion of the frame l1.

When the cover is closed, the handle 53 is released from whatever position it may be in, and the springs 68 and 69 automatically restore the handle to neutral position with the detent 61 engaged in the notch 65.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided simple means permitting of the opening of a cover for a compartment by swinging the cover open from either end thereof. The construction is such that hinge mechanism associated with one end of the cover is interconnected with hinge mechanism associated with the opposite end of the cover, and the interconnection is such that it is impossible to open the cover from one end without having the hinging means in hinging position at the other end. In addition, brace arms are provided which automatically are brought into play when desired and automatically climi' nated from use when not desired. In addition, it will be seen that the mechanism is substantially at and may easily be concealed in the cover of a compartment so as to be practically .invisible when either end of the cover is in open position, or, if desired, the mechanism may be mounted in icy dit

aoaaiaa the compartment decir adjacent the cover and engage in cover sockets, substantially the reverse to the showing in the drawings.

l am aware that changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles' of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than is necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my'invention:

l. in combination with a vehicle rumble decl!` having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, brace means for holding said cover in open position, and adjusting means associated `vvith said brace means to selectively prepare the latter for operation or inoperation prior to an opening movement oi said cover.

2. lin combination with a vehicle rumble deck having an opening therein, a cover ior said opening swingable into open position, brace means responsive to a movement of said cover to hold said cover in open position, and. control means aS- sociated with said brace means and operable prior to the opening or said cover for rendering said brace means subsequently operable upon the opening oi. said cover.

3. ln combination with a vehicle rumble decis having an opening therein, a cover for said opening svvingable 'into open position, handle means associated with said cover and operable from the outside of said cover, brace means for holding said cover in open position, and adjusting means associated with said brace means to prepare the latter for operation or inoperation, said adjusting means being controlled by a movement oi? said handle means relatively to said cover.

d. lin combination, a closure having an opening therein, a cover for said opening pivotally associated adjacent an end thereof with said closure, handle means for operating said cover, brace means for holding said cover in open position, and means controlled by said handle means ifor preparing said brace means for operation when said cover is opened.

5. in combination, a closure having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, hinge means movable into and out of hinging position adjacent each. end of said cover to permit said cover to be opened from either end, brace means for supporting said cover when opened from one end, and means responsive to a movement of one oi said hinge means to render said brace means operable and inoperable whereby said brace means function When said cover is raised from one end and remain idlevvhen said cover is raised from the other' end.

6. in combination with a closure having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, hinge mechanism carried by said cover adjacent each end thereof, said mechanisms being each adjustable into a hinging position in cooperation with said closure adjacent said cover and also being adjustable to a free position from a hlnging position to permit said cover to be opened at either end, and brace means associated with one oi said mechanisms and adjustable therewith into position for subsequent operation to support the cover in Vopen position when the respective mechanism is moved to hinging position and into inoperative position to lie dormant relatively to the opening of the cover when the respective mechanism is moved into free position.

'7. in Vcombination Fvvith a closure having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, hinge means associated with said cover adjacent each of a pair oi opposed ends thereof to permit said cover to be svvung into open position immA either oi said ends, brace means associated with said cover and adjustable for operation or inoperation upon lthe opening oi said cover, handlle means associated `with said cover for opening and closing the cover, and control means connecting said handle means with said brace means in such a manner that a movement oi said handle means relatively to said cover determines the subsequent operation or inoperation oi said brace means. 

